Jaws of Death

Chapter 28

Frank Castle was inside the warehouse. There were too many crates arranged in the massive ground floor. They were bigger than the ones arranged outside. Many had labels pasted on them, with specific instructions about their handling. Frank disliked being here. While on one hand, it gave him a lot of cover. On the other hand, it gave cover for the enemy too.

He walked along the wall, hiding behind the crates. He wasn't sure where the women were kept. On the other hand, there were certainly more men hiding in here. But with all these crates, it was going to be painstakingly long to finish them off.

That's when he heard footsteps and a click.

Gun's safety lock being removed.

Frank's heart bombarded against his ribs. Someone was nearby.

He held his breath, trying not to move. Slowly, he removed his boots, placed them on the floor and sneaked behind another row of crates. On his move, he noticed the arm of a man standing straight ahead, his body turned the other way around. But he wasn't going to get a clear shot from here. He would have to move. Carefully, methodically, he would have to take them all out.

"Frank Castle!!" A voice boomed from his left side, far ahead.

Frank stopped in his tracks. He knew that voice. He could identify that voice even in his sleep. But what was he doing here? How did he know he was here? What-

"I know you're in there, Frank", The Jigsaw Billy Russo's voice boomed again. "Why don't you come on out, for a chat with an old friend?"

Frank stayed silent, breathing shallow. No way in hell, Billy.

He heard footsteps, coming closer. He heard different footsteps, some heavy and some light, echo from nearby. There are a bunch of henchmen with him.

"Frank! I've been dying to meet you...How I hoped I would be the one to hammer the final nail in your coffin. Just like I did for your dear family." The voice moved, as if the speaker was pacing across the room. "Tell me, would you scream less than Maria did when the gunfire penetrated her? Or would you wail like Frank Jr. and Lisa did?"

Frank's fingers curled into a fist. His shoulder throbbed painfully.

You want an answer, Billy? I'll give it to you.

Billy Russo kept his eyes peeled. He was watching every corner of the room, observing for even the slightest motion to find out where Castle was. He hadn't failed to recognise the face when he saw from the meeting room window. The face that had been illuminated by gunfire. He had been waiting for this moment a really long time. Destiny had brought Frank Castle back to him. His eyes scanned every crate, hoping to find even hint of a sleeve to know where his nemesis was hiding. There were six other men with him. He had briefed them about the dangerous Frank Castle. Everyone was on high alert.

Billy shouted again. "Answer me, Frank. Come out and fight like a man. Die with the honour that you so crave!! Come out Fra-"

The head of man towards the right of Billy Russo exploded as bullets pierced his skull. Blood oozed out of his head as the body crumpled on the floor. Within seconds, a pool of blood had formed beside his lifeless face.

Frank Castle had replied. Billy ran behind another set of crates. So did his men.

Now, there were six of them against The Punisher.